Jack and stands, is this a good deal?

"Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2" (pompei426)
07/24/2014 at 13:11 • Filed to: None

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I just need something decent for some upcoming suspension work on the 2002. I don't have a huge budget, but I also like quality. I like Craftsman, and it looks good, but why is it so cheap?

DISCUSSION (14)

Brian, The Life of > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
07/24/2014 at 13:27

Hell yes! That's even better than Harbor Freight.

Will with a W8 races an E30 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
07/24/2014 at 13:32

Cheap because it's crap.

I bought the same kit about two years ago. Ended up taking it back almost immediately. The jack is much smaller than it looks in the pictures, and has a very narrow track width which is unnerving. The one I got also leaked.

For a good cheap floor jack go to Harbor Freight. They have a nice wide 2 ton aluminum one that seems to be the go-to at the track, and have used myself a few times. Not the nicest, but decent for the money.

Harbor Freight is OK for jack stands as well, just inspect the welds before you use it. Jack stands are generally so incredibly overbuilt that quality usually isn't an issue, but bigger is almost always better. Jack stands get unstable as you extend them, so try to find one that you don't have to extend. I have 4 Torin 6 ton stands that I absolutely love, but the 2-3 ton harbor freight, torin, or Orielly/ACDelco ones work just fine for little stuff.

Will with a W8 races an E30 > Will with a W8 races an E30
07/24/2014 at 13:34

This one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/rapid-pump-15-…

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Will with a W8 races an E30
07/24/2014 at 13:35

Thanks. I really want something that will last and get the job done safely.

Will with a W8 races an E30 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
07/24/2014 at 13:38

If you want it to last, you're going to spend a lot more than $100. Those little harbor freight things are great, but have a life expectancy of ~1yr under moderate weekend use.

I have one of these that I use heavily, at 2 years its just getting to the point where it needs to be bled:

http://www.amazon.com/OTC-1532-Capac…

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Edit - maybe not, reviews on it have gone way south since I bought mine.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
07/24/2014 at 13:40

I have something similar to that and it has worked just fine for me. I can lift my wife's Corolla and my Crosstrek without problem. I haven't had any issues with leaking fluid either.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
07/24/2014 at 13:55

Unfortunately quality jacks are really expensive. A good 2 ton jack that will last is a good 300-600 bucks. These crappy jobs start leaking the minute you use them. IF you want some suggestions let me know. Milwaukee Hydraulic is all I use.

jariten1781 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
07/24/2014 at 13:57

I've had that set up for 10+ years. It still works and has outlasted two harbor freight jacks. It was my primary jack for a couple years and worked fine, though it's a bit small and now it serves back-up duty. YMMV

horspowr1001 > Will with a W8 races an E30
07/24/2014 at 14:03

YES YES YES YES to this jack! I got the same one on an Amazon warehouse deal for about $160, which is a steal. This jack is amazing. It's incredibly stable, lightweight, has great lift, and a lifetime warranty. I recently saw an identical looking one made by Big Red/Torin, but i'm not sure if it's a rebrand or cheap copy.

I would not recommend buying a jack or jack stands from Harbor Freight. Why would you trust your life under a 4000lb hunk of metal to something built that cheaply? I also would not recommend any Craftsman jacks since they moved their manufacturing to China, and are incredibly cheaply built and have narrow, unstable tracks. Before buying the OTC, I had a 2-ton Craftsman jack which lasted about 1 summer before buckling and falling while lifting only one side of my dad's Scion XB.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
07/24/2014 at 14:07

Honestly, I'm not going to be doing a whole bunch of work on the car. Most likely less than 10-15 times a year. So, while I don't want shit, with my low budget I don't see a need to go all the way right now.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
07/24/2014 at 14:13

If I were you I'd target a 150-200 budget for the jack. That should last you 5 years or so. How long do you want to keep the jack? Longevity is the real issue here.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
07/24/2014 at 14:28

I don't mind having to buy another in a few years. It's just that right now I need to do a few things.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
07/24/2014 at 14:39

gotcha, well just go to harbor freight and get one then.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
07/24/2014 at 14:46

Will do. Thanks for all your help. Now I will just wait for a decent coupon to come up.